LOT 717
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection 1913 Rover 3½hp Standard 3 Speed Motorcycle Combination Registration no. AR 4189 Frame no. S 40108 Engine no. 3994 B
Sold for £21,850 inc. premium
Lot 717
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, 1913 Rover 3½hp Standard 3 Speed Motorcycle CombinationRegistration no. AR 4189 Frame no. S 40108 Engine no. 3994 B
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection
1913 Rover 3½hp Standard 3 Speed Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. AR 4189
Frame no. S 40108
Engine no. 3994 B
1913 Rover 3½hp Standard 3 Speed Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. AR 4189
Frame no. S 40108
Engine no. 3994 B
• An older restoration
• On museum display since the 1980s
• Offered with Pioneer Certificate
Designed by James Starley, the Rover safety bicycle represented a breakthrough in bicycle design at the end of the 19th Century. In November 1903 the Rover Cycle Company presented its first motorcycle, an advanced design that featured a well-designed sidevalve engine, spray carburettor, robust diamond-type frame with twin front down-tubes, and excellent quality of finish. It created a lot of interest and more than 1,200 were sold in 1904. Not all of Rover's rivals could match its reliability though, and public confidence in motorcycles waned as a result, causing a downturn in sales. Rather than jeopardise its reputation, Rover stopped motorcycle production entirely, concentrating on its bicycle business and the development of a Rover car.
In 1910 the motorcycle's future seemed more assured, and designer John Greenwood (later of Sunbeam fame) was commissioned to draw up a new engine. A 499cc sidevalve rated at 3½hp, the new motor incorporated spring-loaded tappets and positioned its Bosch magneto, driven by a 'silent' inverted-tooth chain, high and dry behind the cylinder. The carburettor was by Brown & Barlow and the forks by Druid. At the end of 1914 a three-speed countershaft gearbox was added, and from then until its production ceased in 1924, few changes were made to the sidevalve single. Before the finish, unitary construction overhead-valve 250cc and 350cc models were introduced, but by this time the company had decided there was more future in car production and the final Rover motorcycles were sold in 1926.
This apparently well-restored Veteran Rover is equipped with the Sturmey-Archer three-speed hub gear and is attached to one of the most attractive wickerwork sidecars we have ever seen. Correspondence on file shows that the machine had been offered as a loan to the Museum in 1983 by its then owner, Jefferson Davies, to whom it had been registered in August 1957. Last taxed in July 1970 and on display since the mid/late 1980s, the Rover was licensed to the Museum on 24th September 2008. Noteworthy features include a Miller acetylene headlight; Bosch magneto; Smiths 60mph speedometer; bulb horn; Brooks saddle; AA and RAC member's badges; and Lucas rear lighting. This eye-catching machine is offered with a history file containing an old-style continuation logbook (1947); Pioneer Certificate; V5C registration document; technical/historical literature, etc, etc. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.
• On museum display since the 1980s
• Offered with Pioneer Certificate
Designed by James Starley, the Rover safety bicycle represented a breakthrough in bicycle design at the end of the 19th Century. In November 1903 the Rover Cycle Company presented its first motorcycle, an advanced design that featured a well-designed sidevalve engine, spray carburettor, robust diamond-type frame with twin front down-tubes, and excellent quality of finish. It created a lot of interest and more than 1,200 were sold in 1904. Not all of Rover's rivals could match its reliability though, and public confidence in motorcycles waned as a result, causing a downturn in sales. Rather than jeopardise its reputation, Rover stopped motorcycle production entirely, concentrating on its bicycle business and the development of a Rover car.
In 1910 the motorcycle's future seemed more assured, and designer John Greenwood (later of Sunbeam fame) was commissioned to draw up a new engine. A 499cc sidevalve rated at 3½hp, the new motor incorporated spring-loaded tappets and positioned its Bosch magneto, driven by a 'silent' inverted-tooth chain, high and dry behind the cylinder. The carburettor was by Brown & Barlow and the forks by Druid. At the end of 1914 a three-speed countershaft gearbox was added, and from then until its production ceased in 1924, few changes were made to the sidevalve single. Before the finish, unitary construction overhead-valve 250cc and 350cc models were introduced, but by this time the company had decided there was more future in car production and the final Rover motorcycles were sold in 1926.
This apparently well-restored Veteran Rover is equipped with the Sturmey-Archer three-speed hub gear and is attached to one of the most attractive wickerwork sidecars we have ever seen. Correspondence on file shows that the machine had been offered as a loan to the Museum in 1983 by its then owner, Jefferson Davies, to whom it had been registered in August 1957. Last taxed in July 1970 and on display since the mid/late 1980s, the Rover was licensed to the Museum on 24th September 2008. Noteworthy features include a Miller acetylene headlight; Bosch magneto; Smiths 60mph speedometer; bulb horn; Brooks saddle; AA and RAC member's badges; and Lucas rear lighting. This eye-catching machine is offered with a history file containing an old-style continuation logbook (1947); Pioneer Certificate; V5C registration document; technical/historical literature, etc, etc. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.
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